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Try the Eureka Cure.

The experience of discovering something new may be the most dopamine-inducing activity on earth. What SuperOptimists have termed the “Eureka Cure” clears out the cobwebs, revs up the inner motor, and helps you remain a curious sort who relishes a discovery. (Especially one that 2 billion people haven’t already absorbed via memes on facebook).

The pleasure of the find may actually elicit a cry of joy, whether it be unearthing an old campaign button from the 1976 presidential election at a neighbor’s yard sale, or stumbling across a fact we weren’t aware of that brings clarity to strands of thought that had been rolling around in our heads for awhile. It can also lead to new experiences, experiments, or daydreams, all of which are welcome.

Of course, sometimes you don’t know what it is you’re seeking to discover, but you’d still like to elicit the Eureka reaction. In this case, you need a way to bypasses the biases — especially your own.  One favorite is the Wikipedia “Random Article” button. Just today we discovered this place we had no clue about:

“Moneva is a municipality located in the province of Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. According to the most recent census, the municipality has a population of 123 inhabitants.”

Here is the official seal of Moneva:

7 miles away is the Hotel Rincon del Cierzo,* a 10-room establishment. Among the activities one can pursue during their stay is birdwatching. If you’re lucky you might see one of the “ghosts of the paromo,” the Ricoti Lark.

Be careful if you pass by the local church in Muniesa. They like to toss a lot of rice and confetti at their brides and grooms.

Moneva! Muniesa! Wifi gratuito! Now what will we do with such information? Maybe nothing. Maybe we’ll move there. Who knows? But one thing’s for certain: Staying open-minded is the surest way to gin up enthusiasm for each new day ahead.

*The Hotel Rincon offers the following amenities:

  • Salón-bodega de 60 m2, para 30 personas
  • Cocina completamente equipada
  • Televisión
  • Piscina Cubierta, no climatizada
  • Rústico y muy acogedor
  • Wifi gratuito
  • Calefacción
  • Aire acondicionado
  • no se admiten mascotas
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Get rich while enjoying nature.

It’s only human to want to amass a fortune, and the quicker the better. Anyone that says they’d prefer to scratch out a living and barely make ends meet is what Italians call “un bugiardo.”

Investing in stocks, bonds or crypto is one way to attempt the speedy accumulation of wealth, although as with casinos, it seems the house always wins. We are repeatedly humbled by forces beyond our control, and timing the market only works for government officials, corporate insiders and that neighbor who smugly claims they bought Bitcoin when it was at $100 even though they’re still driving a 2003 Impala.

Playing the lottery can also provide a windfall — though the odds of winning are smaller than a neutrino.*  Granted it does promote daydreaming as you imagine the possibility of a better life. But you have no control over those little numbered balls vacuumed from the basket; your two bucks are better spent at the racetrack, where at least you can tear up your ticket while seeing the beauty of horses in full gallop.

Which brings us to an activity that is affordable, offers you exercise and plenty of fresh air, and gives you the opportunity to add to your net worth.  And that’s the search for buried treasure. Finding old coins, jewelry and relics from past generations is a heck of lot healthier than sitting around staring at a stock ticker. Why, a 1936 Buffalo nickel is worth more than 100 times it’s value today, and is sure to keep going skyward.*

All you need is a sense of adventure and the visual acuity to spot the precious items in your path. Consider Milly Hardwick from Suffolk, England. She was out detecting in a field with her dad Colin, when the 13-year-old made the find of the century. Or make that 130 centuries. The axes and other objects she found date from around 1,300 BCE. Milly turned in the find to official archeologists and is awaiting a giant reward.

Of course, Milly couldn’t have done it without her own metal detector.

We recommend a lightweight model that’s easy on the back, with enough features to make your search a fortunate one. Having done the research, we prefer the Garrett AT Pro. It’s an all-terrain detector that has 40 different settings to help you uncover various types of ferrous metals. And like the more expensive CTX 3030, the AT Pro is fully submersible up to 10 feet.

Venturing outdoors with your metal detector is a reward in itself, leading to aerobic fitness, healthier heart, improved circulation and flexibility, and increased vitamin D levels. Even if you find nothing, you’ve found nature — and she’s the greatest teacher of all.

So take a couple bucks from the clutches of Wall Street and invest in a metal detector. You’ll be glad you did.

*Neutrinos are the smallest massive particles currently measured and catalogued. The average characteristic size is r2 = n × 10−33 cm2 (n × 1 nanobarn), where n = 3.2 for electron neutrino, n = 1.7 for muon neutrino and n = 1.0 for tau neutrino.

**Remember to consult with a numismatic expert before polishing your treasures to a gleaming shine.  The value of the old coins you uncover can be destroyed with too much scrubbing and scratching. 

 

 

 

 

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9 vocabulary words to spark adventure!

Life can become a bit tedious on the best of days, but during a pandemic that stretches on (and on), the walls can really close in. Yet despite the close quarters, the same faces, and a dearth of outside stimulus, you can still add adventure into your life.

We like to create a list of words to start the process. By mixing and matching, you can conjure an interesting exploit for yourself; one that can go a long way towards jumpstarting the adrenals. We advise taking a pad and paper and jotting down the first words that come to mind. Don’t edit yourself; the fun comes in seeing how you might configure some or all into your next escapade.

  1. blindfold
  2. hang time
  3. wager
  4. accelerant
  5. shoestring
  6. Delray
  7. amateur
  8. midnight
  9. coyote

How can number 1 and number 9 work together? What happens when “wager” and “hang time” are paired? Just considering the possibilities is enough to take us away from the headlines and springboard us into the unknown.

*Other words to consider: odds, uncertainty, randomness, hazard, and surprise.

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Spread the wealth.

The doorman. The custodian. The bartender, barista, night clerk, postal worker, tree surgeon. ‘Tis the season when many people expect a tip for the services they’ve provided during the year. At SuperOptimist headquarters, we couldn’t be happier about this. After all, you can’t take it with you, so why not spread the wealth? Especially to those who least expect it!  

As an experiment, go into the office of your superior and give him $5. When he asks what it’s for, you can say: “That’s a tip for being such a good manager, enjoy!” It’s worth the $5 to see your boss try to figure out what just happened. Then try it out on the street. Pick a pedestrian at random and hand them $5. “That’s a tip for walking in the proper direction. Thank you!” Who knows? You might set off a chain reaction of perfect strangers tipping each other all over town!

A SuperOptimist measures true wealth by exactly how much they are ready to give away at a moment’s notice. This is calculated by a simple SuperOptimal math formula: (Give more) x (have less) = much better.*

Double bonus: you’ll end up with less clutter, and may even be treated better.

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Every day is gravy. Or it should be.

Thanksgiving comes but once a year, and with it the blessed gravy boat.

But why should this beacon of gastronomic goodness be relegated to brief appearances at holidays? Why not make the gravy boat a staple of every meal?

Consider the expression “it’s all gravy.” Meaning “an abundance of good things in a given circumstance,” it’s a key pillar in the practice of SuperOptimism. We take it to mean embracing each and every circumstance as a fortunate occurrence — no matter how screwed up, off-putting, or painful — since the mere fact of being alive (as opposed to the reverse) is a miracle in itself!

None of us are promised another day, much less another government holiday, long weekend, or winter break.  So why not celebrate the good fortune of being conscious and functioning today with a deep and abiding gratitude. And gravy!

You have our permission to pull that gravy boat back out of deep storage, place it in the center of your dining table, and fill it to the brim with the following recipe. And if you’re thinking we want you to soak up a high fat, high chemical concoction until your heart stops on a dime, take note: the following contains no gluten, grains, corn starch, flour, or filler of any kind. We invite you to pour generously at every meal. Breakfast included.*

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 quart organic low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 large onions, roughly chopped
  • 6-8 cloves peeled garlic
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos
  • 2 tablespoons ghee, unsalted butter, or coconut oil

Start by dumping the broth, onions, garlic, and thyme into a medium saucepan and bring to a boil on high.  Then lower the heat to low and let it simmer for 30 minutes or until the onions and garlic are really soft. At this point, taste for seasonings and added salt, pepper, and coconut aminos.

Then pour everything into a blender, add 2 tablespoons of ghee, and blitz everything until it is uniform.  Voila!

*But lay off the biscuits. Those things are like edible hand grenades for your body. Reach for some pineapple instead.

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Act like a mallard.

If the anas platyrhynchos (duck) could not dismiss water from his back as easily as a shake of the tail, he would wind up 80 pounds of soggy feathers sunk to the bottom of Old Barnes Pond. Maintaining flotation is essential to his, and our, optimism. So seek out your local ducks and see how they do it.

They don’t absorb the water; therefore, they don’t get weighed down. Now you try it. Let that big deadline, or relationship issue, or chronic worry about your 401K, roll right off your spinal column. Give that problem an extra back kick with your heel as it nears your ankle for good measure. Shake off  your worries and dry yourself off in the sunshine.

In addition, ducks are expert at eluding their enemies, either by flying, swimming, running or diving for protection. And when it’s time to migrate, ducks fly in a “V” formation, taking turns up front to provide ballast for those in the rear. They know there’s no “i” in team. No “d”, “u”, “c” or “k” either.

Boy, there’s a lot to learn from ducks.

NOTE: Paddling furiously in circles while looking completely calm is another good duck move worth study.

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Make it a lungo.*

Many artists, writers, and inventors come up with their best ideas in the morning. Why? Because that’s when the caffeine takes hold.

SuperOptimist findings suggest that moderate consumption (4-5 cups per day) of caffeine is not only preferable to a macchiato-free diet, it’s mandatory if you expect to stay upbeat through the daily perturbations of human existence. You’ll benefit from improved cognitive performance, alertness, and concentration. Moreover, caffeine is an ergogenic aid — a substance that improves exercise capacity. And since the International Olympic Committee (IOC) removed caffeine from its list of banned substances in 2004, you can feel free to push the performance barrier.

How many cups of coffee are “too much”? Nobody knows for sure. Your body is your laboratory; be a self-diagnostician after your next heavy intake and take it from there.

*Lungo: the longer version of the Espresso shot. Lungo translates to ‘long’ in Italian, usually 60ml in total volume. Lungos typically utilise a brew ratio of around 1:3, so if 7 grams of dried coffee was used, this would produce a Lungo weighing approximately 21 grams. To achieve this a Lungo usually has double the amount of water than an Espresso and double the extraction time, approximately 50 to 70 seconds.

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Remove shoes whenever possible.

The soul. The sole. This is not a coincidence. Almost every major internal organ can be affected by placing direct pressure on certain areas of the feet. Yet we encase our tootsies in leather or nylon, and let them fester in a dark, sweaty place for most of the day.

One of the best natural massages you can give your long-suffering feet is to walk barefoot through grass. Here you’ll find a nonaddictive mood stabilizer called “herbacinium.” Since each foot has thousands of itty-bitty fibrous nerve endings, soaking the herbacinium through your balls, heals, and toes and into the bloodstream can lower your heart rate by up to 14%. So the relaxation isn’t just psychological, it’s also physical.

In addition, by taking off your shoes, your feet can breath. And if they’re breathing, chances are, so are you.

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Enjoy the demon’s embrace.

October brings greater awareness of the dark side, with horror films and costumed rituals expressing the madness that lies within.  Yet as grotesque figures lead our public discourse and ghoulish creatures blare at us from screens large and small, we don’t need Halloween to remind us that human existence is one spooky ride.*

Still, this celebration of witches and goblins does offer a timely reminder of a more intimate pursuit: the care and feeding of one’s personal demon.  As opposed to the supernatural characters of mythology or Hollywood’s evildoers, personal demons are our own concoctions, individually generated and having no independent existence outside our own bag of skin.

One’s demon can arrive at any moment, day or night, though being a demon, he often decides to reveal himself at the most inopportune times — particularly the wee hours when one is desperate for rest before facing another day at the grindstone.  So when your demon surfaces, what is the appropriate response? Fear? Anxiety? A sedative?

It’s helpful to understand that most demons simply want attention. Much like a  faithful dog being excited at the prospect of his master returning home, the demon has patiently waited for a quiet moment to say hello. Why shouldn’t he be excited? After being cooped up inside our subconscious during the day, a day we’ve spent performing repetitive tasks, pushing aside our own desire in favor of “doing the right thing”, we’ve given the demon plenty of openings for a conversation.

So let’s say you wake up in a cold sweat and your demon is standing next to the bed, leering down at you. Some would advise you to confront your demon and attack him before he attacks you. Not a good idea. That would only serve to hurt your demon’s feelings. After all, he’s made a perilous journey from the depths of Hades just to see you.  No, this business of “battling your demons” is a falsehood, since it’s the equivalent of fighting yourself.

Though it may seem counterintuitive, it’s more advisable to embrace, not fight, your demon.  This way you can integrate your Jungian shadow with your public face, and ultimately gain strength from the experience. Here are a few suggestions for how to treat your demon the next time he pays a visit:

  1. Greet your demon warmly, like you would an old friend. Remember, your demon is an extension of your personality, and there’s no reason to be frightened of yourself. Really, he’s like a relative, so invite him into your domicile the way you would a brother. Take his cape and top hat and hang them nicely in the closet. Offer him the good chair and let him prop his feet on the coffee table, even if they’re caked with grime.
  2. Ask the demon what’s on his mind. He’ll probably be in a foul mood at first; usually demons arrive in a snit so let him rant for awhile. You may find him lashing out at you regarding your personal failings, or criticizing your latest mistakes at the job or with the family. Don’t take it personally; be patient and remain detached. Eventually he’ll let you get a word in edgewise. Meantime, compliment him on his appearance despite his pale complexion. This should bring color to his cheeks.
  3. Offer your demon sustenance. Something sweet is preferable: cake, pie or ice cream are welcome choices. Note: this is often thought to be the same as giving yourself license to indulge. While it’s true that you get the benefit of a tasty treat, the dessert will also help take the edge off the demon. Make sure you give him extra whipped cream.
  4. While he may ask for it, avoid giving the demon alcohol or narcotics! Demons tend not to react well when mixing chemicals with their volatile personalities. It could cause the demon to lash out and place you in a compromising position. You want to soothe the demon, not trigger him.
  5. Take your shadow self out for a stroll. Demons love to go for walks, especially at night. Where would it like to go? To the casino? The saloon? An all-night bakery? Rather than acquiesce to the demon’s choices, calmly discuss the pros and cons of each location. Meanwhile, just keep walking. Fresh air and exercise will do you both good. Note: if you live in a sketchy neighborhood, one can simply pace slowly around the apartment with the demon, even in circles. Like a pet, they’re just happy to be by your side.
  6. Demons enjoy spirited conversation, not just an internal dialogue. One way to get their full attention to speak out loud to them. If you are out in public, this may appear as if you’ve lost your mind. If you’re bothered by what others may think, simply strap on a Bluetooth headset and you’ll look like every other smartphone junkie in the midst of an “important phone call.”     Ultimately, by showing the demon respect rather than anger, impatience or fear, you’re helping yourself mend fences, soothe your soul, and unify your bifurgated subconscious. Befriend your demon and he will befriend you!

*If you are going out trick-or-treating this year, we suggest avoiding the top four costumes for adults (witch, vampire, zombie, pirate).  Rather, dress as your own personal demon.  It’s more creative, and he’ll credit you for the effort.

 

 

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Focus on the previous small thing.

Everyone’s always on the alert for “the next big thing.” Yet a key to staying sane and at peace is to notice and appreciate the little idea. Don’t ignore the fork at the table when you sit down to eat; pick it up and admire the ingenuity it took to craft such a simple, yet perfect, tool.

The same goes for salt and pepper shakers, the butter dish, and the water glass. Once you begin treasuring under-appreciated objects like these, it’s only a matter of time before you think of some simple, yet vital, invention that could be as popular as the fork or salt shaker. Perhaps a combination fork and salt shaker, all in one! The salt-fork? The forshaken? The salforker!

What new object can be made from these common parts?

 

Once you have an interesting idea, don’t forget to patent it. You never know where the future might lead. And that’s one of the first questions Mr. Wonderful asks on Shark Tank.

For example, look at this brand new gizmo that Ford has created for a power-extendable exhaust outlet. An ingenious, yet simple, improvement for off-road vehicles. Further proof that it’s not just the big items that could use a new twist.

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